Primary Role

We provide advanced trained Assistance Intervention Dogs, to assist in goal orientated programs to many people in the community. Providing service delivery of dog assisted activities, education, literacy and therapy to over 10.000 people a year.

Assistance Intervention Dogs assist individuals and groups of people within goal orientated programs. Qualified professionals work along side specifically trained dogs for level of professional work in healthcare and social service settings.

All dogs in this team are owned by Therapeutic Dog Services Incorporated and are credentialed in the intensive training regime over a two year period, that includes learning all the skills and tasks that might be called on for their work within various Animal Assisted Intervention Programs. Activities, Education and Therapy.

Every certified team is credentialed, passing through standardised assessments and advanced training, dogs work individually or as a pack, each dog is veterinarian health screened, skills tested, vaccinated and fecal tested annually. Covered by our $20 million insurance coverage policy.

Assistance Intervention Dogs

Assistance Intervention Dog is a term used to refer to a type of assistance dog specially trained to help individuals and groups of people in Animal Assisted Intervention clinical programs, Activities, Education, and Therapy.

• "Assistance intervention dog" is the legal term for dogs that are trained to provide assistance and support. Assistance Intervention Dogs can be found in a wide range of settings.

• Desired character traits are good temperament and psychological makeup and trainability. Good health, with physical structure and stamina.

Assistance Intervention Dogs are bred by our reputable breeder and then trained by private trainers of Therapeutic Dog Services organisation.

Primary Role

The Assistance Intervention Dogs assist over 10,0000 individuals and groups of people within goal-orientated programs. per year.

• Qualified professionals work alongside the assisted intervention dogs for the level of professional work in healthcare and social service settings.

• All dogs in this team are owned by Therapeutic Dog Services Incorporated and complete an intensive training regime over a two year period, that includes learning all the skills and tasks that might be called on for their work within various Animal Assisted Intervention Programs. Activities, Education, and Therapy.

Public Access Rights

State and local governments, businesses, and nonprofit organisations that serve the public generally allow assistance intervention dogs to accompany handlers in all areas of the establishment where the public is normally allowed to go.

Excluded areas: food preparation areas, operating rooms, burn units where the animal’s presence may compromise a sterile environment.

Appearance

Assistance Intervention dogs may be identified by a harness, backpack, vest, bandana, or labeled leash, which may sometimes be coloured to indicate the type.

Breeds we work with

We primarily acquire standard poodles however we also take in dogs from shelters, rescue groups or dogs that need rehoming if we consider them great candidates for training.

It is completely based on each dog's individual personality and temperament.

Training

Our method of training uses natural learning: "classical conditioning", "guided learning", "operant conditioning" and positive reinforcement.

All dogs have completed an intensive training regime over a two year period, which includes learning all the skills and tasks that might be called on for their work as therapy dogs or within the animal-assisted activities programs.

In the beginning:

Between 8 weeks and 12 weeks of age, our puppy comes to Therapeutic Dog Services and is placed with a puppy socialiser, who takes him into their home and looks after him.

Our socialisers tasks are:

• caring for the puppy’s well being

• carrying out routine health checks,

• ensuring he is the correct weight,

• and grooming.

• a developed puppy’s training schedule is followed in their home setting

• a developed puppy’s training schedule is followed in a controlled environment, that is somewhere different from their home setting.

First 6 months

Focus on providing care, routine, and consistency

• Our method of training uses natural learning: "classical conditioning", "guided learning", and "operant conditioning", to maximize outcomes while keeping stress to a minimum.

• introduction of traveling in the car

• puppy development in areas such as house training, learning to be left alone, and basic obedience.

• introduction of various mobility aids, such as walking sticks, walkers, crutches, and manual and electric wheelchairs.

• naturally, there are assessments and requirements to pass along the way, a level of competency throughout the first 6 months of training. Competency is needed to go onto the next specific stage of training.

• temperament testing is conducted through veterinarian and Therapeutic Dog Services evaluator and independent dog behaviouralist, Dogs must pass all requirements of the temperament testing to continue with their advanced training.

From 6 months Old:

Focus shifts to transferring the training they have completed to 'real-life" situations and environments.

• It is at this stage that the dog completes it general obedience and socialisation training.

• All dogs complete an intensive training regime that includes learning all the skills and tasks that might be called on for their work as therapy dogs or within the animal-assisted activities programs.

• this ensures the puppy is developing appropriately and transferring their training to the places they may visit as a working dog.

• socialising the pup around lots of people and animals, and visit as many different places as possible.

• puppies are brought occasionally during the days to the Therapeutic Dog Services offices and centre, socialising with staff and visitors.

• puppies are socialised with fellow Therapeutic Dog Services working for dog teams

When Ready

• Regular one to one visits is organised in a variety of environments to ensure that the dog is comfortable and not stressed within his new possible working role.

• Develop specific task work the dog will carry out, tailored training specific to possible task or environment.

• Training can continue up to two years, all Therapeutic Dog Services, Assistance Intervention dogs are continually training throughout their working lives.

Retirement

Dogs will naturally start to slow down as he gets older. Semi-retirement is at around 9 years old, with official retirement at around 10 years old.

Due to our Assistance Intervention dog being brought up within a pack of dogs Therapeutic Dog Services continues care of the dog in retirement, with arrangements for him to be homed with Therapeutic Dog Services board members, family or close friends.